More miners released in South Africa
- 12 years ago
Celebrations in South Africa as a second group of miners are released after a court appearance on Thursday.
On Monday, a first group of miners had been released - after prosecutors dropped controversial murder charges against a total of 270 men.
The charges stemmed from the deaths of 34 of their co-workers - who were shot dead by police - during strikes at the Marikana mine last month.
Under an apartheid-era law, the miners were deemed to have had a "common purpose" in the deaths - which lead to a national outcry.
Released without bail, the miners must appear in court next February - but could be recharged after investigations are complete.
Meanwhile, miners continued to press for higher wages - the day a militant union refused to sign a deal with mine owner Lonmin.
Miner Themba Mageu.
(SOUNDBITE) Miner Themba Mageu (Xhosa)
"We are happy to see our fellow brothers back from police holding cells, but we will not back down on our demands for 12,500 rand. The struggle continues."
The government had hoped the peace deal would end a now four-week old strike at the platinum mine.
On Monday, a first group of miners had been released - after prosecutors dropped controversial murder charges against a total of 270 men.
The charges stemmed from the deaths of 34 of their co-workers - who were shot dead by police - during strikes at the Marikana mine last month.
Under an apartheid-era law, the miners were deemed to have had a "common purpose" in the deaths - which lead to a national outcry.
Released without bail, the miners must appear in court next February - but could be recharged after investigations are complete.
Meanwhile, miners continued to press for higher wages - the day a militant union refused to sign a deal with mine owner Lonmin.
Miner Themba Mageu.
(SOUNDBITE) Miner Themba Mageu (Xhosa)
"We are happy to see our fellow brothers back from police holding cells, but we will not back down on our demands for 12,500 rand. The struggle continues."
The government had hoped the peace deal would end a now four-week old strike at the platinum mine.